Best Movie Credits of All Time, Take a Look
by Deepika V
Updated Mar 27, 2024
Best Movie Credits of All Time
Movie credits detail the roles of individuals involved in creating a movie or television show. These credits can be displayed at the beginning or end of a movie, acknowledging and thanking the people who contributed to its production.
The movie credits vary depending on when they are shown:
1. Opening credits: In contemporary movies, opening credits usually highlight the main creative contributors to the project. This includes the production company, executive producers, director, lead actors, and sometimes the show creator, if relevant.
2. Closing/End credits: Closing credits are more extensive and encompass all the individual crew members who participated in the production process. This section often lists various roles such as cinematographers, editors, production designers, costume designers, makeup artists, sound engineers, visual effects artists, and many others.
Best Opening Credits
Here's the list of some of the best opening and end movie credits of all time.
Filmmakers need to grab viewers' interest right away. One great way to do this is with a cool opening credits sequence. These sequences can be title cards with cool designs, animated scenes, or credits shown while the movie starts.
1. The Pink Panther (1963)
The Pink Panther is the first movie in a series about a funny detective named Inspector Clouseau. There are 11 movies in this series, plus short films, cartoons, TV shows, and video games. At the beginning of The Pink Panther, there's a cool credits scene with great jazz music by Henry Mancini.
The American Film Institute says this music is one of the best. The credits also show the Pink Panther cartoon character. The Pink Panther's funny actions in the credits show viewers what kind of funny stuff they'll see in the movie.
2. Goldfinger (1964)
One of the best opening title sequences in movies is from a James Bond film. It's hard to choose a favorite because there are so many good ones, like the colorful dots in "Dr. No" or the cool visuals in "Skyfall." But the most iconic is probably the opening of 'Goldfinger'.
The title design alone makes it special. There's a scene with actress Margaret Nolan covered in gold paint, and clips from other Bond movies are shown on her. It's a memorable image that captures Bond's stylish and dangerous personality. What makes this sequence awesome is Shirley Bassey's song 'Goldfinger'. It's classy and full of excitement and danger. This song started the tradition of having original songs in James Bond movies.
3. Lord of War (2005)
Imagine the beginning of a movie that grabs your attention so much that the rest of the movie seems less exciting. That's exactly what happens in Lord of War, a movie from 2005 starring Nicolas Cage as an illegal arms dealer. In the opening, Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" plays while the movie follows the journey of a single bullet from its creation to its final target.
Even though some parts of the visuals may seem strange, the simple yet powerful story is so good that it doesn't matter. The movie stays interesting and fun to watch throughout, and it ends with a strong emotional impact. Lord of War sets up its tone, story, and ideas so well that it almost feels like its own short movie.
Some might even say that director Andrew Niccol does a better job explaining his views on the arms trade in the opening of Lord of War than in the rest of the movie.
4. Deadpool (2016)
Deadpool, a comedy movie, uses its opening title sequence cleverly to set the funny and playful vibe of the film. It starts with a close-up shot of a messy fight scene, diving straight into the action. Then, viewers discover that this chaotic scene is happening inside a car, where time seems to move very slowly while the credits appear on the screen.
The credits humorously read, "Some Douchebag's Film Starring God's Perfect Idiot". This is followed by a scene where Ryan Reynolds is seen on a celebrity magazine cover, making fun of the movie and Hollywood as a whole.
5. Watchmen (2019)
Zack Snyder's version of the DC Comics got mixed reviews compared to the well-liked HBO series. However, the beginning of Snyder's version is really enjoyable to watch. In Watchmen, the story happens in a different Earth history. For example, the United States won the Vietnam War, and Richard Nixon became president for a third time.
To explain these changes quickly, Snyder used the opening scenes of Watchmen. Instead of telling the audience directly, the movie shows these events happening in slow motion during the opening credits. This not only looks great with Snyder's use of slow motion but also gives a lot of information in a fun and fast way.
Best End Credits
In a movie, there are lots of things that can grab our attention, like the story, how it's filmed, the music, and the acting. One interesting part is the end credits.
End credits might seem boring or too long, but they're important. They give recognition to all the people who worked hard to make the movies we enjoy. Sometimes, the credits are designed in a way that adds to the creativity of the movie itself, making them more than just a list of names.
1. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
'Avengers: Endgame' marked the end of a decade-long journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Its end credits were unique, as they didn't follow the usual order of listing actors but instead honored every actor who contributed to the universe. The credits included a montage of the supporting cast and special tributes and signatures from the original team, all set to the epic Avengers theme music.
2. The Hangover (2009)
In 'The Hangover', Doug and his three friends go to Las Vegas for his bachelor party. But things take a wild turn when they wake up the next day and can't find Doug anywhere. The movie mixes funny moments with a mystery to solve about what happened during their wild night out.
The end credits of the film cleverly show a photo montage of their crazy adventures, giving viewers a glimpse into the hilarious and bizarre situations they encountered. It's a satisfying way to wrap up the story and show all the fun they had.
3. Se7en (1995)
'Se7en' is a movie that delves deep into the dark aspects of human nature, showcasing suspenseful moments, intense plot twists, and outstanding performances that captivate audiences. One of its memorable features is the iconic opening title sequence, but the closing credits are equally intriguing as they play in reverse, deviating from the usual conventions of movies.
This unique approach to the credits caught the attention of user particular-camera612, highlighting how even seemingly small details can make a lasting impression in the world of cinema.
4. Predator (1987)
The movie 'Predator' is known for its intense action, graphic violence, and strong male characters. Released in the 1980s, it has become a classic in the action genre. What sets it apart is its clever use of humor, particularly in the end credits where it pokes fun at cheerful sitcoms. This unexpected contrast in tone adds an extra layer of entertainment that many fans, including useful spaghetti, find amusing and enjoyable.
5. Apocalypse Now (1979)
Apocalypse Now is known as one of the scariest war movies ever made. It grabbed people's attention with its amazing camera work and great acting. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, it's considered a masterpiece by many. Even its ending credits are done in different ways: just plain black text rolling, a series of explosive and fiery scenes, or sometimes no credits at all.
Some people find the version without credits the most moving, describing it as incredibly beautiful and so captivating that it made them unable to move for seven minutes. Apocalypse Now is known as one of the scariest war movies ever made. It grabbed people's attention with its amazing camera work and great acting.
